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We take a lot of photos and we thought it might be fun to share a photo from our garden or travels each day. Rather than share these on our exotic garden blog Alternative Eden we thought it would be good to start a new site dedicated to these photos. The photos we share will sometimes be from the days events but sometimes will relate to our thoughts or particular memories.

We will try to share a photo from our garden or from our travels each day, although sometimes life can get rather hectic so please forgive us if we miss a day here or there.

If you want to ask us about the photos please click on the date under each one to access the comments section.

Having a conscience about being environmentally friendly
whenever possible can have an effect on the way we decorate the interior of a
home, and the way that we manage the garden.

Sticking with custom

The garden has always been seen as a conventional place by
most of us, with the focus being on what to plant. But the garden should be
viewed more as an extension of the home, an outdoor room, which needs furniture
of its own.

A few Italianesque style statues, a bench, a table and
chairs, perhaps even some gnomes! These have been the usual garden furniture. Trellises,
of course, have also played a part, but they have usually been bought from a
garden centre, and consequently all look much the same. What better way to make
use of unwanted items and enjoy the opportunity to be a little creative, than
crafting some homemade and truly original trellises.

Creative furniture
for the garden

It is undeniable that trellises are a useful prop in the
garden, but why do they always have to be made only from wood? Have some copper
pipe lying around? Then fix the lengths together to create a shiny and
attractive framework that will need practically no maintenance. The copper will
weather nicely, over time attaining a greenish patina that will look quite
natural and be quite at home in the garden.

A ladder no longer fit for purpose would make an excellent
trellis. Just cut it down to the correct size and attach to a wall or fence, or
just stick a freestanding ladder where the plant is to grow. Plantation
shutters would also work extremely well. These have the advantage of being
available in a wide range of uniquecolours and finishes, so they could even be colour coordinated to suit the look
of the garden. A single shutter could be attached to a fence or wall, or
several of them could be fitted together to create a freestanding trelliswork.
They would also work well as places to hang potted plants.

More unusual trellis
creations

For those who do have a lot of old junk lying around the
home, or perhaps those who enjoy scouring reclamation and salvage yards looking
for hidden treasures, some discarded household items would also work well as
trellises. An old-fashioned iron bedframe attached to a wall or fence would
work. Even large chains, strung and hung together, would provide a great framework
for growing plants. Old window frames could also be used, grouped together to
create a more open trelliswork, or wire baskets left over from the kitchen
cupboards.

How about using three or four bicycle wheels fixed
vertically to a post to make a trellis? A wrought iron garden gate would also
do the trick, as would the ribcage of an old-fashioned shower, circa 1920, that
had jets of water spurting from horizontal tubes.

The main thing is to be imaginative in the garden. With a
little thought some more unusual items can create points of interest while also
serving a practical purpose.